Nickel anode and container



Jan. 11, 1938. y w. M. PHILLIPS 2,104,312,

NICKEL ANODE AND CONTAINER Filed July 17, 1935 COPPER LEAD Q'E LEILOSE 8 LEAD J NICKEL JKJ '9).

"I. I I I I I I I I I LEAD /0 Sum/M436 Patented Jan. 11, 1938 UNITED STATES NICKEL ANODE AND William M. Phillips, Birmingham, Mich, assignor to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Delaware Application July 17, 1935, Serial No. 31,845-

4 Claims.

The invention relates to containers suitable for use in chemical solutions as, for example, anodes employed in the electrodeposition of metals, and, more particularly, a container of ma- 5 terials resistant to chemical action of the electrolyte and adapted to receive anode material which is consumed in the electrolytic process: In replenishing some constituent of a bath or supplying the metal deposited at the cathode in electrodeposition, it is often desirable to use asgregates of particles or fragments, of either regular or irregular contour, which must be submerged in the solution. In accordance with the present invention such fragmentary material is supported within a container adapted to permit access of the liquid but to retain all material which has not become a constituent of the solution.

In the accompanying drawing illustrating one embodiment of the invention Figure l is an elevation partly in section, and

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the parts in disassembled relation.

Referring to the drawing, 5 indicates a frame or box the walls of which are perforated as indicated at 6 to permit adequate passage of the solution and access thereof to the material within the container. The bottom of the box or cage 5 may be constituted of a separate cap I on which the walls of the box may rest.

Within the frame or cage 5 is fitted a flexible holder or bag 8 of foraminous material, preferably fabric, suitable for holding the consumable material 9. The bag is shown as open at the top to facilitate filling it with the material 9 and replenishing the material as it disappears in the process. The bottom of the bag may conveniently be provided with a hole It through which extends the lower end of a supporting bar H. The bar is enlarged or flanged at l2 and the portion of the bag 8 surrounding the hole it is clamped between the flange l2 and the cap '5 as shown in Figure 1. The clamping action is obtained by means of a nut i3 engaging with threads it on the lower end of rod ii and seating against the lower side of cap '5 which is perforated at ii for the passage of the rod i l.

The rod H is shown as of composite construction, comprising an inner or core portion it of 50 relatively strong and good electrical conducting material, as copper, and a jacket ll of conducting material adapted to protect the core against the action of the solution. The flange l2 and the threaded portion l4 may be formed on the 5:; jacket. The upper end of the rod is provided (Cl. 20H) with a hook I! by which the assembly may be suspended from a suitable support,as a bus bar. A spacer is may be mounted upon the bar It to maintain the relative position of the bar and frame 5. 5

Theinvention contemplates the use for those elements of the container that are to be exposed directly to the bath of materials substantially, or to an extent sufflcient for practical purposes, inert in the bath so that they will not be readiLv acted upon or consumed in the process. Naturally, the choice of these materials must depend upon the nature of the process and the chemicals employed. Having in mind one use of the container, namely, as a support for nickel anode material in a nickel plating bath of the sulphate type, I have indicated on the drawing a selection of materials suitable for such use, that is, lead for the cage 5, cap I, nut l3, jacket I I1 and spacer i9, nitrocellulose fabric for the bag 8, copper for the rod I6, and nickel (which may be nickel shot) for the consumable anode material 9.

Referring to the use of the container in anodes, it will be understood that its utility is not confined to any one bath or process. Consumable metal anode material is commonly employed in the electroplating of nickel, zinc, cadmium, silver and various other metals in which it may become desirable to supply the metal in fragments or small pieces. The types of baths also vary widely although they may be generally classed as either acid or alkaline. In alkaline baths generally, such as the cyanide zinc or copper baths, the frame 5 and other approximately rigid exposed parts may be of iron or nickel or nickel coated iron. For sulphate baths, as above pointed out, lead is suitable. In some baths non-metallic materials, such as rubber or celluloid, are inert and may be used for the rigid parts not required to conduct electric current or as a coating for such parts when the basic material thereof (is not inert in the bath.

The material of the "inner receptacle is also a matter of selection, the principal desirable characteristics being its resistance to attack by the bath and its capability of being formed preferably into fabric bags permeable by the solution and of suficient strength to hold the material placed therein. Cellulosic material rendered insoluble by suitable processes (such as types of rayon), wool felt and asbestos cloth may be mentioned-as examples, rayon having been found satisfactory in nickel sulphate nickel plating is baths, whereas the other materials are suitable generally for either acid or alkaline baths.

The bag I should be of sufficiently fine weave or the openings in its walls sufficiently small to insure the retention of the fragmentary material therein until entirely consumed so as to avoid waste of material incident to the use of ordinary types of anode cages or boxes. The use of the bag enables the cage or frame of less pervious material to be provided with relatively large apertures thereby permitting ready access of the solution. At the same time the bag may retain all unconsumed material, including any residues or sludge, and any metallic fragments are held in conducting relation with each other and with the central conducting rod ll. Additional material may be readily supplied through the open end of the bag.

I claim:

1. An anode comprising a box having apertured walls and an open top, a fabric bag fitting within said box, a conductor extending into said bag and through the bottom thereof and removably secured to the bottom of said box and fragmentary consumable anode material in said bag and contacting with said conductor.

2. Structure as set forth in claim 1, said bag being of cellulosic material of a rayon type.

3. An anode comprising a frame having perforated side walls and open at top and bottom, a separate cap forming a closure for the bottom of the frame and upon which the said walls rest, a conductor extending into the frame and secured to said cap independently of said frame, said conductor provided with means for suspending the anode, and means enclosed in said frame for retaining fragmentary anode material.

4. An anode comprising a frame having perforated side walls, a separate cap constituting a bottom for said frame and upon which said side walls are supported, a fabric bag within said frame, a bar of conducting material extending into said bag and secured to said cap, the bottom of the bag being apertured to provide for connection of said bar to said cap, said bar disposed centrally of said frame and provided with means for suspending the anode, and fragmentary anode material in said bag.

WILLIAM M. PHILLIPS. 

